BIG LOSSES BY FIRE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 162, 27 March 1923, Page 6

BIG LOSSES BY FIRE

GARAGE DESTROYED SIXTY-TWO CARS BURNED BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, March 26. All that remains of over £30,000 worth of motor-cars, stored in the' big garage of Gillet Motors, Ltd., Albert. /Street, is a row of charred remains and a few cart-loads of debris. Fire swept the garage in the early hours of this morning, and seldom lias such a clean sweep been made of any building. Of 62 cars in the building, about 60 were privately owned, tho others being the property of Gillet Motors, Ltd. There were some high-priced cars, including a big Hudson that took part in the recent racing at Muriwai beach, Mr. C. Court’s SiddeleyDeasey (worth about £1500), Mr. Ernest Davis’s Stutz (about the- same ( value), and Mr. Ben. Goldwater’s Appcrson (worth some £900). There were several taxi-cars, in addition to ' a large assortment of other privatelyowned cars of all makes. It is impossible to ascertain the insurances on the majority of these cars, but it is understood that in most cases the owners will be losers, while several of tho cars were not covered by insurance at all. The building-; was a) substantial brick affair. The insurance on the building is £16,127. As far as can bo judged the shell is not damaged, and the work of reinstating will be confined to two wooden floors and the internal fittings. Tho ground floor is practically uninjured. Tire policy on the building is hold by the New Zealand Insurance Company. The contents of the building, tjiat is, apart from the cars in the top floor garage for private cars, were covered by insuraneo policies in the Atlas, United, and Ocean offices totalling £14,527. Among the contents destroyed was a large ’quantity of snare parts which the firm is compelled to carry in order. to keep faith 1 with the purchasers of cars for which it is agent. SAWMILL BURNED DOWN. • by Telegraph.—Press Association. Hokitika, March 26. Stuart and Chapman’s sawmill, between Mikonui and Boldhead, was destroyed by fire early this morning Iho mill recently had been considerably enlarged. and was engaged in steady work. There is no clue to the cause. There was no insurance.

SMEDLEY HOMESTEAD DESTROYED. BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION, Waipawa, March 26. Smedley homestead, of eleven rooms, on the property bequeathed to tho Government by Josiah Howard for an agricultural farm, was destroyed by fire last night. Tho inmates had a narrow escape and lost everything. Tho property is in the hands of the Public Trustee. Tho insurances are not available.

The above report should prompt those who nr© uninsured to call on the Australian Provincial Assurance Assn., Ltd (A.P.A.), corner Grey and Featherston Streets. ’Phone 3037.— Advt.